Short answer: Match the stool to the height of the surface it sits at. Measure from the floor to the underside of your counter or bar, then choose a seat that leaves room for your legs. Our counter stools have a seat height of about 26 inches, and our bar stools about 30 inches. The Vela counter stool is 37.2 inches tall overall and the Vela bar stool 41.1 inches.
Choosing the wrong height is the most common stool mistake. A seat that is too low makes you reach up to eat, and a seat that is too high leaves no room for your knees.
On This Page
- Step one: measure your counter or bar
- Cozey stool measurements
- Counter height versus bar height
- Vela or Ushi stools?
- Comfort and use
- Explore Cozey dining
Step one: measure your counter or bar
Measure from the floor to the top of the counter and to its underside. A common guideline is a seat that sits about 9 to 12 inches below the counter surface so that your knees fit comfortably. This is general advice, not a product specification, and you should check it against your own counter and your own legs.
Cozey stool measurements
Cozey stool measurements
| Stool | Seat height | Overall height | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vela counter stool | 26.0 in | 37.2 in | Counter |
| Vela bar stool | 30.0 in | 41.1 in | Bar |
| Ushi counter stool | 26.0 in | 38.0 in | Counter |
| Ushi bar stool | 29.9 in | 42.0 in | Bar |
The backrest on the Vela stools rises 13.7 inches above the seat, and the Ushi backrests rise 12.0 inches. Both styles include a footrest.
Counter height versus bar height
A kitchen counter is usually lower than a bar, so it needs a lower stool. A typical kitchen counter is about 36 inches high, while a bar-height surface is closer to 40 to 42 inches. These are general guidelines, so measure your own surface before you buy. If your surface is somewhere between the two, check the seat heights above against the space under your counter.
Vela or Ushi stools?
- Vela: a seat depth of 16.9 inches and a taller backrest, rising 13.7 inches above the seat.
- Ushi: a deeper seat, at 19.1 inches of seat depth, and a lower backrest, rising 12.0 inches.
Both are part of our dining range, so you can match them to a Vela or Ushi table. For help with the table itself, read our dining table size guide.
Comfort and use
Stools with backrests and footrests are easier to sit on for longer meals than backless stools. Check that the footrest height suits your legs, and leave room to pull the stool out without hitting a wall or another stool.
Explore Cozey dining
Product specifications can change. Check the current dimensions on the product page before ordering.